A former NFL player is now facing criminal charges in Brevard County after police said he set several trucks on fire at his former workplace.Javian Hawkins, 26, is facing multiple counts of arson. He is a Brevard County native and former Cocoa High School Tiger who went on to play for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 56.He appeared before a Brevard County judge Friday, accused of setting vehicles on fire outside a West Melbourne business.Police said three pickup trucks were engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to the exterior of the lawn care company’s building.”The fire just spread up through the garage doors, went in and burned everything in the building,” owner Tony Romano said. “I mean literally every single thing in the building is completely destroyed—the offices, all the equipment and everything was there because it was 2:30 in the morning.”Police said investigators identified Hawkins through surveillance video and witness statements, but they are not releasing that video at this time.His former employer confirmed he was terminated earlier this week.”He was fine, understanding that he was being let go the second time. He completely got it. So why this? I can’t tell you,” Romano said. “There’s no answer for why anyone would do this. This hurts a number of families. I can’t even tell you how many families and subcontractors who work for us are affected by what we do. Probably 300 families.”Tropic Care of Florida has been in business for 35 years and has operated at its West Melbourne location for 30 years. The fire happened Wednesday, and already other businesses are stepping in to help.”Every surrounding neighbor has stepped up to offer to come work with us on the weekends and help do whatever they have to do and giving us water, power, storage places, office space,” Romano said. “Everybody here has just stepped up on this street.”Hawkins is being held on a $280,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for early August.
WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. —
A former NFL player is now facing criminal charges in Brevard County after police said he set several trucks on fire at his former workplace.
Javian Hawkins, 26, is facing multiple counts of arson. He is a Brevard County native and former Cocoa High School Tiger who went on to play for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 56.
He appeared before a Brevard County judge Friday, accused of setting vehicles on fire outside a West Melbourne business.
Police said three pickup trucks were engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to the exterior of the lawn care company’s building.
West Melbourne Police Department
Former NFL player accused of setting fire to cars at previous Florida workplace
“The fire just spread up through the garage doors, went in and burned everything in the building,” owner Tony Romano said. “I mean literally every single thing in the building is completely destroyed—the offices, all the equipment and everything was there because it was 2:30 in the morning.”
Police said investigators identified Hawkins through surveillance video and witness statements, but they are not releasing that video at this time.
His former employer confirmed he was terminated earlier this week.
“He was fine, understanding that he was being let go the second time. He completely got it. So why this? I can’t tell you,” Romano said. “There’s no answer for why anyone would do this. This hurts a number of families. I can’t even tell you how many families and subcontractors who work for us are affected by what we do. Probably 300 families.”
Tropic Care of Florida has been in business for 35 years and has operated at its West Melbourne location for 30 years. The fire happened Wednesday, and already other businesses are stepping in to help.
“Every surrounding neighbor has stepped up to offer to come work with us on the weekends and help do whatever they have to do and giving us water, power, storage places, office space,” Romano said. “Everybody here has just stepped up on this street.”
Hawkins is being held on a $280,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for early August.